Nørresøbadet, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: C.F. Møller Architects
Nørresøbadet, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: C.F. Møller Architects
11.11.2026

New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake

Drawing on a bathing pavilion from 1940, C.F. Møller Architects has designed a new gathering place on the shores of Lake Nørresø in Viborg, Denmark. A simple architectural gesture connects city, landscape and lake, creating a setting for community life and activities all year round. With DKK 3 million in support from Nordea-fonden now brings the project closer to realisation.

 

For generations, Nørresøbadet has been an important gathering place for the people of Viborg. A new bathing pavilion will carry forward the site's identity while opening the area up to new uses.
The central design concept is a gateway running through the heart of the building, creating a direct connection between the arrival area and the lake. The new pavilion reinterprets the functionalist simplicity, proportions and rhythmic façade composition of the original bathhouse in a contemporary language. At the same time, it is woven into the landscape through timber decking, stepped seating and outdoor spaces that invite both activity and relaxation by the water.

Thomas Olsen, Head of Landscape & Urbanism, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: Mew

"Our aim is to carry forward the site's distinctive identity and strengthen the connection between architecture, landscape and life by the lake. The gateway through the building is a simple yet striking move. It opens the site towards the water and makes room for community, physical activity and quiet moments in every season," says Thomas Olsen, Head of Landscape & Urbanism at C.F. Møller Architects.

Nørresøbadet, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: C.F. Møller Architects

An Open Meeting Place All Year Round
The new pavilion is a low, elongated building with light-coloured façades, timber-clad surfaces and large areas of glazing that connect inside and outside. It will house a sauna and changing facilities for winter swimmers, public showers and toilets, a communal room, and storage for kayaks and other water sports equipment.
The surrounding outdoor areas are designed as an integral part of the project. Along the building, timber decking and stepped seating create new places to sit and take in views across the lake, while planting provides shelter from the wind and forms smaller, more intimate spaces on the existing lawn.
Together, building and landscape will support both organised and self-organised activities, making Nørresøbadet an inviting destination for winter swimmers, water sports enthusiasts, local clubs, families and other visitors.

Nørresøbadet, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: C.F. Møller Architects

An Important Step Towards Realisation
With the DKK 3 million support from Nordea-fonden, Viborg Municipality has taken a significant step towards realising the project.


"This is about much more than a new building. We want to create a place where people can come together through community, physical activity and experiences by the lake, whether they are winter swimmers, enjoy water sports or simply like spending time by the water," says Mads Panny (Social Democrats), Chair of the Culture and Leisure Committee, Viborg Municipality.


The project has been developed in collaboration with Viborg Municipality and with input from local users, including the winter swimming club Viborg Vinterbader, Viborg Youth School and local residents.
Work to secure the remaining funding is ongoing. Under the current schedule, construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with Nørresøbadet set to reopen by the end of 2027.

 

Press Release Viborg Kommune
Project Description
Project Description

Nørresøbadet, C.F. Møller Architects - New Nørresøbadet Connects City, Landscape and Lake - C.F. Møller. Photo: C.F. Møller Architects

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